The long-term prognosis of argon laser iridotomy for primary angle-closure glaucoma
Fukuchi, T.; Iwata, K.; Shirakashi, M.; Satoh, K.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 92(3): 534-540
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 3414468 Document Number: 307587
We analyzed the long-term prognosis of argon laser iridotomy (LIT) for primary angle-closure glaucoma performed in 90 eyes of 59 patients with a follow-up period of 4 .apprx. 5 years. During the follow-up period, intra-ocular pressure (IOP) was maintained at 21mmHg or less in 18 of 21 eyes (85.7%)with attacks of acute angle-closure glaucoma (AAGG), 19 of 19 eyes (100%) of the fellow eyes with AAGG, and 42 of 50 eyes (84.0%) with chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG). The IOP was not well controlled in 11 eyes, including 4 eyes that requested surgical treatment, one eye that developed malignant glaucoma, 4 eyes with advanced visual field loss requiring acetazolamide, and the IOP was borderline in 2 eyes. During the follow-up period, peripheral anterior synechia was increased in only 1 of 50 eyes (2.0%), however, the C values showed no change in 21 of 21 eyes (100.0%). The provocative mydriasis test was performed in 25 eyes. Although 3 of 25 eyes (12%) were positive for the provocative mydriasis test, their LIT apertures were open. These results suggest that the IOP controllable effect of LIT may be maintained for a long time in primary angle-closure glaucoma, if the LIT is performed before or shortly after the angle-closure glaucoma onset.